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REN

I t takes everything in me not to burst out of this wardrobe. My claws dig into my palms as I curl my hands into fists at my sides.

“I know. I’m so sorry,” Rapunzel says. “Please, forgive me.”

Glinda presses a kiss to the top of her head. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, my dear.”

Her fingers start to glow again as she resumes combing Rapunzel’s hair, singing softly. Her voice is so faint I cannot quite make out all the words, but a few of them sound like Darksyl —the shadow tongue used for incantations.

Rapunzel blinks heavily, her posture softening, as her breaths become slow and even as she begins to nod off.

I shift my ears forward, straining to hear, and wince as something shifts beneath me with a low thump.

Fates curse me.

Glinda stops, her head whipping in my direction. The glow at her fingertips vanishes instantly, and Rapunzel jerks back awake.

My heart pounds as Glinda’s gaze sweeps the room. “Did you hear something, my dear?”

Rapunzel sits up, rubbing her eyes. “No.”

“I must be hearing things,” Glinda says. She presses a kiss to Rapunzel’s forehead. “I should go. There are things I must do. You should get some sleep.”

Rapunzel nods as Glinda rises from the sofa. Together they walk to the window and Rapunzel drapes her long braid over the hook, near the ledge, throwing it over the side for Glinda to climb back down.

“I will return soon,” she says as she drops over the edge and begins her descent to the ground below.

As soon as she’s gone, I step out of the wardrobe. My fox is on high alert, fangs lengthened and claws extended.

“She’s not what you think she is, Rapunzel.” The words leave my mouth in a rush as every instinct within demands that I take her away from this place, far from whatever evil purpose Glinda has in keeping her here.

“What are you talking about?” she stares at me in confusion. “What do you mean she’s not what I think she is?”

“She’s lying to you,” I snap, my voice coming out much firmer than I intended.

“The world isn’t nearly as dangerous as she wants you to believe.

She’s keeping you here for a reason, and I don’t think it’s because she cares about you.

We need to go.” Worry claws at my chest. “We need to get as far away from this place as possible.”

“Why?”

“Because she put you under some sort of spell, Rapunzel.” I grip her shoulders, desperate to make her understand. “Whatever she was doing to you—it wasn’t right. We have to go. Now.”

“No.” She steps back, shrugging my hands from her. “I can’t just leave. I—”

“Rapunzel?” Glinda’s sickly-sweet voice calls out from below, cutting off whatever she was going to say next. “Let down your hair, my dear. I forgot something.”

Cold dread slams into me, hard and fast. “Rapunzel,” I whisper urgently. “Don’t let her back up here. You cannot trust her. She—”

“Stop,” Rapunzel cuts me off. “I don’t know why you’re saying these things, but you’re not even supposed to be here.” She glances back at the window. “If she catches you here—”

“Rapunzel?” Glinda calls out again. “Let down your hair,” she demands. “Right now.”

“Go.” My fated one gestures animatedly to the wardrobe. “Hurry.”

I don’t like this, but I do as she says, tucking myself back into the wardrobe as she drapes her long braid over the hook near the window before tossing the rest of it over the side for Glinda to ascend.

Rapunzel is not a Fox Shifter. She doesn’t feel the fated bond like I do. I’m still a relative stranger to her. One who has yet to fully gain her trust. And until I do, I must be careful how I speak to her about Glinda.

Rapunzel obviously doesn’t realize what’s being done to her. Seven hells, I’m not even sure what the witch is doing to my fated one. I only know that whatever it is, it cannot be good if Glinda is using her magic to lull Rapunzel into sleep as she weaves spells while combing her hair.

As Glinda climbs in through the window, I struggle to remain still as my Fox paces back and forth beneath the surface, like a caged animal.

Glinda’s shoes click against the stone floor as she walks to Rapunzel and takes both her hands. “Rapunzel. Are you certain no one has been here?

Rapunzel’s gaze flicks toward the wardrobe before she shakes her head.

I grit my fangs. It’s a small glance, but it’s enough to alert her captor.

“Liar,” Glinda snaps, her words cutting through the air like a blade.

Lightning fast, I shove the doors open and leap out, my Fox ready to burst forth and defend my mate as I position myself between her and Glinda.

“What have we here?” Glinda narrows her eyes. “Tell me, Fox. Just how did you manage to find this place?”

A faint shimmer of light ripples across her hands, revealing short, black claws, that vanish in a flash, returning to blunt, human nails. It happens so quickly, I doubt Rapunzel even saw it.

“Goblin,” I murmur under my breath, and her eyes widen as I straighten to my full height, baring my fangs. “Drop the disguise, witch.”

“What… what is he talking about?” Rapunzel blinks at Glinda in confusion.

Glinda’s lips pull back in a snarl, revealing two rows of white fangs as her entire form ripples. Her golden hair changes to lavender as her pale skin turns violet. Silver reptilian eyes replace human ones, narrowing as she glares at me, extending her dagger-sharp black claws.

Rapunzel staggers back. “Glinda?”

My Fox bristles with rage as my protective instincts flare brightly. “Stay behind me, Rapunzel.”

The Goblin witch smiles, her sharp teeth gleaming like a predator savoring its prey. “So, you’ve found a protector, my little bird. How sweet,” she says, tone mockingly affectionate. “I certainly hope you’ve not become too attached to him.”

Glinda cocks her head, her unnerving silver-rimmed eyes flicking over me, assessing, calculating.

My claws lengthen as I glare at her in return.

Her gaze flicks to Rapunzel. “How could you allow a stranger into your tower?” She tuts, shaking her head. “I thought I raised you better than that.”

“I don’t understand,” Rapunzel’s voice quavers. “Who are you really? And why have you been lying to me?”

“Oh, my dear, please forgive me. I couldn’t tell you the whole truth.” She gives Rapunzel a sad look. “But I promise you that everything I did was for your protection.”

My jaw tightens. This Goblin is trying to manipulate her. “Protect her from what?” I challenge. “From some supposedly evil witch that wants to capture her?” Glinda levels a dark glare at me as I continue. “You’re the one keeping her captive here.”

Anger blisters through me as I recall Rapunzel’s story of how she came here under Glinda’s protection, and everything falls into place. “You’re Drusilla, aren’t you?”

The Goblin’s eyes widen in shock before her lips curl in a feral snarl. “Don’t listen to him, Rapunzel. He’s a fox . A trickster. Do you truly believe he stumbled upon you by accident?”

“You used dark magic on her,” I say accusingly, refusing to let her poison my mate against me. “I saw you. You were weaving a spell as you combed her hair.” I bare my fangs. “It was you, wasn’t it? You’re Drusilla. And you stole her memories so she wouldn’t remember it was you all along.”

“Lies,” she grinds out. “Don’t listen to him. He’s lying to you. He’s a Fox Shifter. They are not to be trusted.” She extends her clawed hand to my mate, beckoning. “I will protect you from—”

“You. Will. Not. Touch. Her,” I growl.